Avenue Q ok for H.S. Freshmen?

[george95]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 7:23pm

I'm planning another Broadway trip for my students, and I'm taking freshmen for the first time. First of all, we can only see shows that are discounted, so no Wicked, ITH, etc.

My previous groups have enjoyed Phantom, Chicago, Ave Q, Spring Awakening.

But those groups were always juniors or seniors.

I've pretty much ruled out the freshmen seeing Spring Awakening, but I wonder about Avenue Q. I'm mainly worried about what the parents might say if the look up stuff about the show, or if their kid comes home singing "the internet is for porn", but then again, one of the kids is a parent already herself at age 14.
I take groups of 7 at a time so I can control them better and get them through the experience. (Having a cellphone turned off for 2 hours is a huuuuuuuuge huge deal for these kids)

Does anybody have any opinions for or against high school freshmen seeing Avenue Q with a teacher? Should I stick with Chicago/Phantom/etc?

And please BWW grumps......stay out of my thread! : )

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 7:27pm

The freshmen will love it, but I'm not sure their parents will.

You can bet the freshmen will probably get all of the jokes, and they probably won't tell their parents just how dirty the show was, but if word got out, I'm not sure how parents would feel. My school's choral department went to NYC last year, and our chorus includes grades 9-12. We were given a list of all of the shows we could choose from, and we weren't allowed to choose Avenue Q. If your class doesn't even get to choose individually which musical they see, some of the more squeamish freshmen might feel uncomfortable seeing the show, so I'd recommend something a little less controversial, just in case.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 7:31pm

It's fine for them.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 7:31pm

Honestly, if you're ruling out Spring Awakening for them...based on your system Avenue Q is not a good idea.
HOWEVER, in my opinion I would think that they'd be fine at both those shows. Updated On: 10/20/08 at 07:31 PM

[george95]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 7:32pm

Well this is a small group of only 7 freshmen, who are pretty much the top freshmen in the class. They have to apply to the group and basically really really want to go.

They will totally get all the jokes, and they'll love the naughtiness of it, and even though they have all lived a lot in their 14 years (gangs drugs murders general ghetto life) they still are only 14 years old. Not sure if I should just make them wait 1 year for this show. Then again, it may not be there when they're sophomores.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 7:33pm

These are what I would reccommend. I have no idea which ones are on sale though or whatever.

*The Lion King
*The Little Mermaid
*Mary Poppins
*Wicked
*Grease
*Hairspray
*Mamma Mia!
*Shrek the Musical (if you are seeing it around that time)
*Chicago
*Young Frankenstein
*Phantom of the Opera
*Spamalot


Legally Blonde would have been a good one too. I don't think parents would want their 14-15 year olds seeing a musical with references to sex, masturbating, and porn as far as Avenue Q is concerned. I don't know all about Spring Awakening but from the musical number names, maybe not. The kids may be mature but the parents are the ones you should be concerned about.

Updated On: 10/20/08 at 07:33 PM

[CyCoSpAz2]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 7:35pm

If they are the top of their class, had to apply to get into the group, and will understand all the jokes, they sound mature enough to be able to handle the show.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 7:42pm

Yeah, I think so, too, actually, now that I know more about the trip. Maybe you should send a letter home to the parents beforehand just to inform them of some of the more controversial stuff in the show. I mean, heck, when my class went to see an all-male production of "Romeo and Juliet," we had to get forms signed.

[Broadwaynerd101]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 7:43pm

My cousin (a freshman) saw this show with a friend (8th grader) on tour. My cousin told his friend's dad that Avenue Q would be appropriate. His dad looked it up on youtube and was a little disturbed by Internet, but he told my cousin "As long as you don't tell your mother." So, I think it may be alert for overprotective parents, but I think most parents will understand that they are a freshman now.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 7:46pm

I am 13 and I saw Avenue Q by myself. I got the jokes (all teenagers will get the jokes, people definitely underestimate our knowledge) and I enjoyed the show but it's not one of my favorites. But I think it would be fine for 14 year olds, it just depends on their parents. But I think most parents would be okay with it. My parents were fine with it but they are rather easy.

[george95]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 7:48pm

Before each trip I send the kids home with the General Broadway Show Rules form (all about cellphones, candy, talking etc) and one of the things I mention in there is that some shows are offensive and controversial but the point of our club is to appreciate art, so I say "Some Broadway shows contain offensive themese and controversial language and scenes, but it's just ART."

[Nicole3293]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 7:57pm

My school took our class to see Avenue Q when I was a freshman. Parents were fully aware of the content before hand and there was no problem that I am aware of. Plus i also saw Avenue Q with my mother. It was rather awkward and if a bunch of kids see it together it would be much better then seeing it with there parents and feeling uncomfortable.

[Nicholas Clar]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 7:58pm

I would have the parents sign a permission slip...
Have two shows in mind.
It is definitely a racy show but have a short and sweet synopsis on the slip and tell them it does include strong language and adult material. If not you have the plan B show to fall back on.

[rentheadca]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 8:00pm

yeah I'd do the permission slip thing. Avenue Q is recommended for ages 12+ on this site :
http://www.nytix.com/Links/Broadway/showsummary.html

[george95]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 8:13pm

Well I have to use the regular school-produced permission slip with all the legalese on it, but I wasn't going to have anything on there about racy language or anything---was just going to have that on the broadway rules sheet. The school permission slip has great language---the parents has to sign right under a line that reads "I request that my child participate in this trip, and I understand all the risks described above, and I agree with the method of transportation."

I'm thinking maybe I'll just do Chicago this time and then Ave Q with them in the spring

[StephenSondheimWHOO]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 8:15pm

Yes! It is perfectly fine for kids that age, I saw it at 9 or 10. There are a few swear words and the sex scene is with unrealistic puppets, and hilarious.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 8:18pm

I'd feel much more comfortable bringing a freshaman to Spring Awakening. The mature content is there for a reason, and the lessons within, just saw the fabulous tour, are valuable to children those age. While Avenue Q's bawdiness never ties into any deep thematic ideas for patrons that age. As a parent, I'd take my kid to Spring before Q.

[dg22894]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 8:19pm

I am about that age I have seen them all my favorite is spring awakening and my second was Avenue Q I have both albums though . We have taken heath classes we know what they are about.
Updated On: 10/20/08 at 08:19 PM

[karen24]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 8:21pm

As a parent of two teenagers, one a freshman and one a junior, I'll chime in here:
The issue really isn't whether the *kids* will enjoy it or be offended by it. From what you've described about their backgrounds and their experiences, I am *sure* there is nothing in there they haven't been exposed to in one way or another. I am also sure that they would enjoy the show and get a kick out of seeing something that seems so "adult."
BUT as a teacher, you also have to deal with the parents, and I can just imagine that even if most of the parents are fine with it, there will be one or two (or more) who have objections, and who can make your life miserable. If it were the only musical on Broadway, maybe I'd say risk it, but there are (as others have pointed out) many others to choose from. And I think your instinct to go with "Chicago" is a good one. It's still adult, but it's a Kander & Ebb show, a classic, and I think a bit less problematic for parents.
It's hard to know what else to recommend since things seem to be closing right & left these days, but I think that I'd steer clear of the "younger" Disney shows like Mermaid and Mary Poppins. Your kids won't think it's cool if they wind up in a theater with a ton of 7-year-olds. "Hairspray" and "Spamalot" would both be great choices.

[broadway122]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 9:16pm

When i was a Freshmen (last year) i saw Spring Awakening. Avenue Q is like the South Park of Broadway. I'm sure they watch taht. I don't watch it but most of my friends do.

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 9:26pm

I think once you send home a letter (like you had stated), it's up to the parents discretion. I'm assuming you are informing the parents what their children are going to be seeing. If the parents choose not to ask questions, look into it further and sign the waver, I would assume that taking them would be fine. You then have the legal consent forms.

"Some Broadway shows contain offensive themes and controversial language and scenes... "

That should be all you need. It states everything that the parents need to know without going into long detail. If they want more information, I'm sure they can contact you.

[Bwayidiot]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 12:23am

My reactions to AVE Q for the younger students. They have already seen and heard all of the elements either in school or on TV. They are treated with great humor in AVE Q and can not be taken seriously.
Internet Is For Porn is sung by a "monster"
The "sex" scene is performed by puppets who have no bodies below the waist and are mostly under a blanket.
The F word is used ONCE and high school kids use it all the time.
Most high school kids know what a "slut" is and often use it for some "popular" girls in the school. Besides Lucy gets redeamed in the end.
"It Sucks to be Me" is a sentiment anyone can relate to. I use it as a signature on my emails.
ULTRA conservative parents would probably find fault with much of this, but that type might not let their children go to the theatre anyway.
AVE Q is no more corruptive than CHICAGO which is about women who commit murder and try to beat the system. I find that much more opjectionable that anything in AVE Q.
Updated On: 10/21/08 at 12:23 AM

[winston89]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 12:46am

I don't think that kids that age would have a problem with the show. I am not sure that the parents would either. Like you said, you say that you mention in the letter home that some shows could contain mature language and situations. Avenue Q would easily fit into that category so if they sign the slip then they are fine. I have met a lot of parents who are happy to hear that someone my age (going to be 19 on friday) is into theatre and they wish that their kids were into something like that. I think a lot of parents would be happy with the fact that their kids are seeing a show in the first place and might think about that more then they would the content of the show that they are seeing.

It is really hard for me to speak based on personal experience. My parents never censored anything from me and let me read and watch whatever. And I never felt strange watching something with adult themes with my parents.

[Steve2]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 1:42am

"I'd feel much more comfortable bringing a freshaman to Spring Awakening. The mature content is there for a reason, and the lessons within, just saw the fabulous tour, are valuable to children those age. While Avenue Q's bawdiness never ties into any deep thematic ideas for patrons that age. As a parent, I'd take my kid to Spring before Q."

Well said BobbyBubbly. Updated On: 10/21/08 at 01:42 AM

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 3:32am

Wicked has cheaper upper balcony seats which alot of schools get. When I went last Wednesday matinee I think me and the young family I was aside of were the only people up there not belonging to a school.

If you go on a weekday they are $50. I dunno if that is to high a price but it would be a good show for freshman IMO.